Wanted: worship music

Update, 12-8-08:Before you launch into this post, here’s an excerpt from a sermon that mentions something similar. You can see it in context here.

Can we look at our worship and come away with a sense that our group’s big thing is caring for humans who suffer? We’ve seen it in Jesus – nearly every single chapter, sooner or later, he’d get back to caring for human needs. And now he’s used it to define ultimate success or failure.

Consider our songs of worship as a measure of what matters to us. Here are some titles and first lines. See if they reflect this passion for dishonored sufferers Jesus has been preaching about:

“How beautiful!”

“You are my hiding place.”

“You are here, among us.”

“Jesus, you are the one, gives me hope when the day is done.”

“I’m trading my sorrows.”

“We want a new passion for Jesus – one that will burn in our hearts, like never before.”

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord – I want to see you” [especially amusing, given today’s gospel story about how the good guys were the ones who served without seeing]

“I’m here, to meet with you. Come and meet with me.”

“Lord, I lift your name on high – Lord I love to sing your praises” [why?] “I’m so glad you’re in my life – I’m so glad you came to save us.” [I’m so glad I work for Honeywell]

“You-ou are, forever my friend.”

“This is the air I breathe – your holy presence, living in me . . . and I’m lost without You.”

Nope. They’re about ooey-gooey with Jesus, as if no one else on earth existed. And lest we get snobbish about modernChristian music, remember that that the songs in the hymnal are no more world-focused. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. [ I’m on my way to heav’n I know, so I’ll let others be.]

The inestimable delight of sensing God’s nearness that our music reflects is a wonderful thing. But we skipped dinner and went straight for the dessert. What’s going to happen with that kind of diet? […]

But wait – didn’t Jesus picture himself standing at the end of time dividing the gentiles sheep from goats based upon how they cared for wounded people? Would you think that would at least appear somewhere in our hymnology? What is up here?

Could it be that the church has become so ensconced in pushing its own theology that it no longer reflects the priorities of Jesus himself?

Now, the real post:

We live in a day more drenched with beautiful worship music than any in history. But I need some things I can’t find.

Two years ago, I began preaching through the Bible via the Revised Common Lectionary. Why? To allow the Bible’s priorities – assumedly, God’s – a greater role in shaping my preaching priorities. If something came up a lot (I reasoned), it was because it was in the Bible a lot. So it must be important to God.

I was surprised by what those things were. For instance:

– loving one another well (building the authenticity of the community of faith) came up all the time
– God’s preferential passion for people of little earthly influence was a constant hot topic
– Jesus Christ was much more the focus of the Bible than my preaching had previously reflected
– the ongoing transformation of the people of God was the sine qua non of evangelism.

So far, so good, this was exciting.

Then I’d go looking for worship music that reflected what I was finding in Scripture.

Bzzzt! Sorry, you chose the wrong door, there’s no prize behind that one!

For building the community of faith, we’ve sung The Servant Song a lot (enough to get gentle snickers from the worship band) because there wasn’t much else! We have plenty of paeans to the glories of our radically individualistic faith, but almost nada about how “we are being built together” or “Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness” (Eph. 4.6, The Message), or “They will know you are my disciples by your love for one another.”

For extolling Jesus’ passion for the poor, I found . . . ah . . . [imagine sound of thumping on empty barrel]. Yet Jesus insists that we serve him by serving them. It is a passion he lives and breathes – perhaps the one mentioned in Scripture more than any other – and can you think of a song or hymn that calls us to it?

As for songs that see us as a people getting better, becoming more attractive to those who can see Christ living through us – again, I’m stumped.

Weird, huh? Here is Jesus, living out these wonderful, radical, world-changing priorities . . . and those priorities are virtually invisible in the hymnology of his followers!

So, my plea: Help me out here.. Help me find worship music that tells of the longings of Jesus himself, that tells of the miraculous building of communities of love, that tells of the Master’s preferential passion for the dispossessed, that tells of the transformational reality of life together beneath the Cross, that tells of the Kingdom of God’s movement into our work and world. New or old, I’m game.

Monte- hey bro just wanted to make a quick comment. I frequently end up in blogs like yours in search for new or different music to use in worship and more often then not what I come across is either bitter/divisive bloggers or what I like to call “drive by” Christians who like to knock some of the most well known worship artists splitting hairs over how they rhyme words and basically trash worship music that exists today without then stepping up to the plate and offering what is then “better” for us to worship with. And then cowardly closing comments so no one can retort. Seeing your blog pointing out something lacking but then actually seeking to fill the void is a breath of fresh air, maturity, and sense of responsibility. Thanks man. I am adding your blog to my favorites.

What a coincidence! We sang a song at church yesterday at Cadrian’s dedication and I thought, “Monte would love this one! I’ve gotta remember to send it to him!” And look here! Colin JUST sent it to you, too! We sang, “God of Justice” by Tim Hughes. See you Saturday!!!

GOD OF JUSTICE, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served.
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received, now freely we will give.

We must go
Live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go.
Stepping forward
Keep us from just singing
Move us into action, we must go.

To act justly every day
Loving mercy in every way
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us, what You require,
Freely we received, now freely we will give.

We must go ..

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord (repeat x4)
Tim Hughes
Copyright (c) 2005 Thankyou Music/Adm by worshiptogether.com songs
excluding UK & Europe, adm by kingswaysongs.com tym@kingsway.co.uk Used by permission.

KING JESUS, I BELIEVE the words of life You breathe,
You’ve spoken promises, a guiding light for our feet.
We fall down to our knees and weep with those who weep:
Let justice flow upon this earth, a never failing stream.

I’m thirsty, longing just to see Your kingdom come,
Praying that today Your love is shown.
I’m hungry for the will of God to be made known,
Praying for the day of Your return.

You have anointed us to bind the broken heart:
Proclaim deliverance for those enslaved in the dark.
You pour the oil of joy all over my despair.
O Spirit of the Sovereign Lord, empower us once again.

I’m thirsty, longing just to see Your kingdom come ….

We pray, we pray, we seek Your face.
We pray, and we seek Your face. Repeat.

I KNOW YOU LOVE AN OFFERING
That’s costly, outreaching
Touching Your heart for the poor.
The songs we sing as our offering
Are more fragrant in Your presence
If we live a life of love.

And as we follow Your heart
We are led to the lost.
Finding there a place of praise
No matter what the cost.
So we will stand with the weak
Give our most to the least
Serving You with all we have
Your kingdom God we seek

Now I see what You command
To be faithful and humble
Putting selfish hopes aside.
So change my heart that I may love
My neighbour as my brother
And to live a life of love.

ONE SHALL TELL ANOTHER
And he shall tell his friend,
Husbands, wives and children
Shall come following on.
From house to house in families
Shall more be gathered in,
And lights will shine in every street,
So warm and welcoming.

Come on in and taste the new wine,
The wine of the kingdom,
The wine of the kingdom of God.
Here is healing and forgiveness,
The wine of the kingdom,
The wine of the kingdom of God.

Compassion of the Father
Is ready now to flow,
Through acts of love and mercy
We must let it show.
He turns now from His anger
To show a smiling face,
And longs that men should stand beneath
The fountain of His grace.

YOU’VE PUT A NEW SONG IN MY MOUTH;
It is a hymn of praise to You.
Justice and mercy are its theme,
And I will live it back to You.

The kind of fast You’ve chosen, Lord,
It must reach out
To broken lives and to the poor:
So change me, Lord.
You’re Father where no father lives,
And to the lonely You’re a friend.
O Lord, You’re showing me what’s on Your heart.

You’ve put a new song in my mouth.
It is a hymn of praise to You.
Justice and mercy are its theme,
And I will live it back to You.

Lord, I won’t bring an empty song;
It’s meaningless
Without compassion in my life,
And holiness.
I know You are the orphan’s hope,
I know You are the widow’s song;
O Lord, You’re showing me what’s on Your heart.

You’ve put a new song in my mouth.
It is a hymn of praise to You.
Justice and mercy are its theme,
And I will live it back to You.

I know You are the orphan’s hope,
I know You are the widow’s song;
You’re Father where no father lives,
And to the lonely You’re a friend.
O Lord, You’re showing me what’s on Your heart.

Seriously, I was excited when I read the lyrics for this song and was wanting to use it since we are about to do a series on Service. However,I can not find this song online! A song never heard blesses no one :(

Hi, I have this old hymnal, if anyone would like lyrics to any song within, I can help out.overlookedbook@aol.com

Harmonia Sacra Being a Compilation Of Genuine Church Music Twelfth Edition by Joseph Funk And Sons The Principles Of Vocal Music 1867 Singers Glen Rockingham Co. VA. Published by Joseph Funk’s Sons, One of the most striking aspects of congregational singing in all but the conservative branches of the Mennonite churches is four-part singing. This was greatly facilitated in what eventually became the Mennonite Church (MC) by singing schools modeled by Joseph Funk, on those formed at the beginning of the 19th century in the eastern United States Funk published Genuine church music (1832; renamed Harmonia Sacra in 1851), for use in the singing schools.

I’m a Mennonite who found this blog because I was searching for info about the hymn “I Bind My Heart This Tide” . This is a beautiful hymn and one I’m planning on using with my choir during Lent. You should get yourself a Mennonite Hymnal (called Hymnal: A Worship Book copyright 1992 by Brethren Press). I think you’ll find a lot of what you are looking for in the pages of this hymnal.

Monte Says: Sharon, thanks for the tip! You’re the second person who’s recommended this hymnal to me, so I’d better go do it!
I live in a pretty Mennonitey area in Washington County, IA, so should be able to find one.

One of my passions is worship. One of the last times I saw you was at a Robert Webber conference! How about this one:

The Reconciliation Song CCLI# 1680497

Verse 1
Oh let us be the generation
Of reconciliation and peace
And let us be
A holy nation where pride
And prejudice shall cease
Let us speak the truth in love
To the lost and least of these
Let us serve the Lord in unity
So others will believe
Let us be the generation
Of reconciliation and peace

Verse 2
Oh let us be the generation
Of reconciliation and peace
And let us build
On one foundation ’til He comes
And the wars of men shall cease
Let us share the love of Jesus
Without hypocrisy
Let mercy and forgiveness
Begin with you and me
Let us be the generation
Of reconciliation and peace

Misc 1
(BRIDGE)
Have we not one Father
Have we not one faith
Have we not one calling
To become one holy race
Oh let us be the generation
Of reconciliation and peace

Verse 3
And let us pray for restoration
And seek the Lord together
On our knees
Let us keep our hearts from evil
And cling to what is good
Let us honor one another
And love our brotherhood
Let us be the generation
Of reconciliation and peace

Peace,
-Derin-

Monte Says: I love this one, and would be glad to have a dozen like it! I’ve been razzed by musicians in years gone by for using it so much! Thanks! Know of any more? I’ve heard the Mennonites have some, but haven’t found them yet.

Greetings
I am a song writer of various genre of music but my forte is worship.

At http://www.unsigned.com/luxum “Thy Chambers” Worshipful Prayer song (as an example) Also “El Elyon”, and scores of others represent my spirit life and anointing.
If you need songs I am available.
God bless you
Joseph Luxum

Hello Monte,
I was looking at the site and found this and have a few to add to the list I pray that they may help us to sing a new song to glorify the Lord our God.
I have the CDs for this music and the words, they are from the songs 4 worship CDs.

You are My All in All
Change My Heart Oh God
He Who Began A Good Work
More Precious Than Silver
As The Deer
Jesus, Name Above All Names
Spirti of The Living God
THESE ARE FROM THE “HOLY GROUND” cd

Monte, I hope this ministry serves you. I’m a part of a campus ministry, thats a part of a church, thats a part of Sovereign Grace Ministries, whose worship is incredibly God-centered, Christ-exalting, evokative and scriptural. I saw your blogsite through a comment you made on the Manspeak blog.

Great songs about Christian Unity:
They Will Know We are Christians (words & chords below)
Bind Us Together (words below)
We Are the Body of Christ(words below)
The Bond of Love (We are one in the bond of Love)

Em
We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord
Am
We are one in the Spirit
Em
We are one in the Lord
Am
And we pray that all unity
Em
May one day be restored

Em
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand
Am
We will walk with each other
Em
We will walk hand in hand
Am
And together we’ll spread the news
Em
That God is in our land

(CHORUS)

Em
All praise to the Father
From whom all things come
Am
And all praise to Christ Jesus
Em
His only son
Am
And all praise to the Spirit
Em
Who makes us one

Bind us together Lord, bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken
Bind us together Lord, bind us together, Lord
Bind us together with love
There is only one God, there is only one king
There is only one body, that is why we can sing

One heart, one Spirit
One voice to praise you
We are the body of Christ
One goal, one vision
to see You exalted
We are the body of Christ
And to this we give our lives, to see you glorified

Songs about serving:
Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated Lord to Thee
We are an offering (words below)

We lift our voices, we lift our hands
we lift our lives up to you, we are an offering
Lord, use our voices
Lord, use our hands
Lord, use our lives, they are yours,
We are an offering
We are an offering
All that we have, all that we are,
all that we ever hope to be, we give to you, we give to you

Hope these help! You can also use your regular songs and substitue “we” and “us” for “I” to shake things up a bit.
God bless you!

I’m a harpist, and I’ve been memorizing and learning to play the psalms using the psalm tones composed by Joseph Gelineau. Where else but the psalms do you find all of what you’re looking for? Well, I guess psalms do not speak specifically of the cross, but it is shadowed everywhere.

GIA Publishing has a book that goes with the lectionary for Catholic Mass. (I don’t know if it’s at all in sync with the Protestant lectionary.) If you want to see it, let’s you and me and Bill get together, eh?